What an awesome experience! Driving out to California from Texas is not as far as many Elite anglers had to endure so I was able to capitalize and spend some time sightseeing on the way. My wife and I visited Yosemite National Park .... WOW! What an amazing place. While in the park we made sure to visit the giant sequoia trees and hike around the Mariposa Grove area. I was in 'awe' over the nature and scenery on the west coast. It's something I hope everyone can experience. As far as the fishing ... the west has some awesome bass to catch. I was looking forward to getting after it and moving up...... Read More

Oh no, not another tie!Staying hydrated tops the list for dear old Dad! But, plastic bottles are leaching bad stuff into his water! Restaurants and hospitals have always utilized stainless steel for a healthier environment. For a little over 10 years, Klean Kanteen has offered non-toxic watering solutions in a durable and reusable container! Several thirst quenching sizes! Insolated models too! www.kleankanteen.com... Read More

In the couple of weeks between the Sabine River event and Guntersville I managed to get out to pre-practice for the California Delta. I am really looking forward to that event and Lake Havasu. I feel like all of us Tour anglers have a lot to gain by fishing in the western United States. When I have events out west if feels like I compete on a true national tour and it keeps us from constantly fishing the eastern half of the U.S. Before the western swing kicks off though I wanted to share with you how Guntersville went. Guntersville is a fantastic fishery but I must say I am concerned. Although ...... Read More

My off season as a professional angler is anything but ‘off’! What a busy time of cultivating relationships for the future and, most importantly, putting current relationships to work. This past offseason I had a change in my title sponsor… that is stressful. Now I am in the new place and one that feels great! I couldn’t be more proud working with Dixie Electric for the 2015 season and hopefully for years to come. Other changes in the offseason was a shift to working exclusively with BoatUS… gosh, honestly I love this organization. BoatUS is loyal to boaters all...... Read More

There are always new and even improved products coming to the boating and fishing market! These gadgets and gizmos can make life easier or protect your investment. In either case, here are a few you might take a longer look at! You’ll probably say, “Why didn’t I think of that!”... Read More

The week off that Elite Series anglers had between Delaware River, PA. & Cayuga Lake, NY was typically spent fishing somewhere in the Northeast. For me it was 1000 Islands… one of my favorite bass fishing waters in all the United States. As I mentioned in my previous blog I was able to take a sponsor of mine, Dixie Electric, fishing for a few days at 1000 Islands and boy did we have a blast! Big brown smallies were had by all and it was a pleasure to be able to share the great fishing of the Northeast with some good West Texas friends. Going into my last Elite Series event of the ...... Read More

Well we had a long break in the Elite Series AOY (Angler of the Year) events since my debacle at Lake Dardanelle. In the meantime I had a BASS Open event at Lake Douglas, TN in late May where I cashed a check to regain some momentum. In early June I participated in BassFest at Lake Chickamauga, TN which was a mediocre performance as I finished in the middle of the field. And most recently I attended a BASS Open at Lake Champlain where I just missed cashing a check. With two Elite AOY events remaining at the Delaware River and Lake Cayuga I am sitting in 85th place. Mathematically I am still ali...... Read More

Just after I finished up the event on Toledo and prior to the start of the next BASS Elite Series #5 at Lake Dardanelle, AR, I drove to Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, TN. I was able to spend a few days on the lake scouting for BassFest that was to take place in June. I had a busy week thoug,h catching up on emails and also taping another episode of Bass Edge Radio (bassedge.com), a bi-monthly podcast on iTunes that I co-host. I was ready for some certain shallow water fishing coming up at Dardanelle and of course looking to get back on track after a disappointing week at Toledo (read previous blog...... Read More

Late summer signals the home stretch of the Bassmaster Elite Series season, plus a whole lotta Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show episodes that need to be filmed, and perhaps most importantly, me picking my fantasy football league roster. Not to mention we’re fresh off the ICAST Show, which is the fishing tackle industry’s annual ‘show and tell’ trade show where all the cool new products are revealed.

Seeing lures I’ve been working on to develop with Strike King for months, or rod actions I’ve discussed for weeks with Shimano, all finally come to fruitio...... Read More